Abstract
The sinusoid anatomy of the penis is complex and requires complicated interaction between smooth muscle and endothelium in order to maintain homeostasis in the adult. The morphogen, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), is a crucial regulator of these processes, along with its down stream targets patched (Ptc), Hox, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Shh is critical for patterning and establishing tissue identity of the penis during embryonic development, is a crucial regulator of penile postnatal differentiation of the sinusoid morphology of the corpora cavernosa, and plays a fundamental role in maintaining sinusoidal structures pertinent to erectile function in the adult rat. Shh and its targets are active in human penes, and decreased in human diabetic penes in parallel with observations in the rat, thus lending clinical significance to the role of abnormal Shh signaling in erectile dysfunction (ED). Application of exogenous Shh protein to rat corpora cavernosa, induces VEGF and NOS proteins, suggesting a potential mechanism through which decreased Shh protein can cause ED. The studies outlined in this review provide in depth analysis of the Shh pathway and signal transduction, its role in penile development, how Shh signaling is altered in a rat model of ED and neuropathy, how abnormal Shh signaling can cause ED, and the clinical significance of the Shh pathway to human ED. These studies will provide valuable insight, at the molecular level, into understanding the mechanisms that under lie ED and lead to new treatment strategies for diabetic impotence.
Keywords: Sonic hedgehog, penis, corpora cavernosa, diabetes, apoptosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Sonic Hedgehog, the Penis and Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in the Penis
Volume: 11 Issue: 31
Author(s): C. A. Podlasek, C. L. Meroz, H. Korolis, Y. Tang, K. E. McKenna and K. T. McVary
Affiliation:
Keywords: Sonic hedgehog, penis, corpora cavernosa, diabetes, apoptosis
Abstract: The sinusoid anatomy of the penis is complex and requires complicated interaction between smooth muscle and endothelium in order to maintain homeostasis in the adult. The morphogen, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), is a crucial regulator of these processes, along with its down stream targets patched (Ptc), Hox, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Shh is critical for patterning and establishing tissue identity of the penis during embryonic development, is a crucial regulator of penile postnatal differentiation of the sinusoid morphology of the corpora cavernosa, and plays a fundamental role in maintaining sinusoidal structures pertinent to erectile function in the adult rat. Shh and its targets are active in human penes, and decreased in human diabetic penes in parallel with observations in the rat, thus lending clinical significance to the role of abnormal Shh signaling in erectile dysfunction (ED). Application of exogenous Shh protein to rat corpora cavernosa, induces VEGF and NOS proteins, suggesting a potential mechanism through which decreased Shh protein can cause ED. The studies outlined in this review provide in depth analysis of the Shh pathway and signal transduction, its role in penile development, how Shh signaling is altered in a rat model of ED and neuropathy, how abnormal Shh signaling can cause ED, and the clinical significance of the Shh pathway to human ED. These studies will provide valuable insight, at the molecular level, into understanding the mechanisms that under lie ED and lead to new treatment strategies for diabetic impotence.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Podlasek A. C., Meroz L. C., Korolis H., Tang Y., McKenna E. K. and McVary T. K., Sonic Hedgehog, the Penis and Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in the Penis, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2005; 11 (31) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161205774913408
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161205774913408 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of 1,3-Azoles
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Piribedil: Antiparkinsonian Properties and Potential Clinical Utility in Dopaminergic Disorders
Current Drug Therapy Dysregulation of Neurotrophic and Haematopoietic Growth Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease: From Pathophysiology to Novel Treatment Strategies
Current Alzheimer Research Why Antidiabetic Vanadium Complexes are Not in the Pipeline of “Big Pharma” Drug Research? A Critical Review
Current Medicinal Chemistry Possible Role of Vascular Risk Factors in Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia
Current Pharmaceutical Design Sirtuins: Common Targets in Aging and in Neurodegeneration
Current Drug Targets Chalcones and <i>Bis</i>-Chalcones Analogs as DPPH and ABTS Radical Scavengers
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery New Therapeutic Strategies for Cancer and Neurodegeneration Emerging from Yeast Cell-based Systems
Current Pharmaceutical Design Selection of Potential Pharmacological Targets in ALS Based on Whole- Genome Expression Profiling
Current Medicinal Chemistry Calcium-Sensing Receptors of Human Astrocyte-Neuron Teams: Amyloid-β-Driven Mediators and Therapeutic Targets of Alzheimer's Disease
Current Neuropharmacology Inpatient Diabetes Management in Non-ICU Settings: Evidence and Strategies
Current Diabetes Reviews Current Progresses of Novel Natural Products and Their Derivatives/ Analogs as Anti-Alzheimer Candidates: an Update
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Does It Make Sense that Diabetes is Reciprocally Associated with Periodontal Disease?
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Compounds that Combine Aldose Reductase Inhibitory Activity and Ability to Prevent the Glycation (Glucation and/or Fructation) of Proteins as Putative Pharmacotherapeutic Agents
Drug Design Reviews - Online (Discontinued) Pharmacological Benefits of Active Components of Natural Products Against Traumatic Brain Injury - A Review
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine The Effects of Creatine Supplementation and Physical Exercise on Traumatic Brain Injury
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Eosinophils in Cancer: Favourable or Unfavourable?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Autophagy Enhancer Carbamazepine Alleviates Memory Deficits and Cerebral Amyloid-β Pathology in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Synthetic and Medicinal Prospective of Structurally Modified Curcumins
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Tocotrienols Stimulate Insulin Secretion of Rat Pancreatic Isolated Islets in a Dynamic Culture
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology